Electric switch



June Z3, 1931. w. s. EDsALL ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Oct. 17. 1922 .nu S

Patented June 23, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE' WILLIAM S. EDSALL, OF BOSTONgMASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- i Y MENTS, TO CONDIT ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, OF BOSTON,

MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS A ELECTRIC SWITCH Application filed October 17, y1922. Serial No. 595,172.

This invention relates to electric switches especially adapted to interrupt relatively high values of current in oil or other arc quenching fluid.

When a relatively heavy current 1s interrupted under oil a relatively high pressure may be set up within the oil receptacle, due, among other things, to the volatilization of the oil.

An object of this invention is to provlde a switch having a casing particularly adapted to contain an arc quenching fluid and c onstructed and arranged to withstand relatlvef ly high internal pressures, whereby 1ncrease the current-interrupting capacity of the switch.

Incarrying out this object, I may provlde a casing having relatively thick walls and ribbed to provide additional strength. Such a construction, if formed of a single piece, may be relatively expensive and, therefore, I prefer to make the casing of several sections which may be bolted or otherwise secured together. A multi-part casing, however, necessitates joints through which there may be danger of oil leakage.

A further lobject of this invention is to provide afswitch having a relatively strong sectional casing and an inner Huid-tightlining or receptacle adapted to contain the oil. Said receptacle is adapted to be relatively weak and yielding and is adapted to befsupported by the walls of the casing and cover the joints between the sections. With this arrangement, the supportingA casing need not be fluid tight, and yet the composite structure is fluidstight and strong and relatively inexpensive.

A further Objectis to provide means to support the oil receptacle yieldingly within its supporting structure. Y

A further object is generally to improve the construction and operation of electric switches.

Fig. 1 is aside elevation, partly in section, of an electric switch embodying the invention. v

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail along line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l and illustrating a modified construction.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the oil receptacle and enclosing casing taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 isa view similar to Fig. 3 and showing the oil receptacle yieldingly supported within the receptacle-supporting` structure.

As here shown, the electric switch embodying this invention may include a casing having the upper casing section formed with the top wall 10 which may support the stationary switch members 11 in a more or less usual manner. A movable switch member 12 may have its supporting rod 13 movably extended through said wall 10 alsoin a more or less usual manner. Said top wall 10 in accordance with this invention is or may be relatively thick and massive, for strength, and may be more or less cylindrically formed whereby toenhance its ability to resist pressures developed within the casing. V

The upper casing section may also include the depending flanges or side walls 14 which extend below the periphery of the top wall 10 and form an enclosure for the switch members and an oil receptacle. Preferably said fianges terminate at or slightly above the line of the contact members 15 carried by said stationary switch members 11; Said flanges 14 may be formed with a laterally outstanding peripheral flange-16 at the lower edge thereof and, as said flange 16 is in the line of the circuit-interrupting arc, and therefore in the line of maximum initial internal pressure, said ange aids materially in strengthening the casing. Said flanges 16 and 14 are preferably of substantial thickness, for strength, and integral with eachr other and said flange 14 is preferably integrally formed with the top wall 10. Said flanges 14 top wall 1() are or may be formed with relatively deepk and massive outstanding and integral ribs 17,

whereby to strengthen said vfianges and top wall, and ribs of said flanges may be integral with and form a continuation of ribs of the top wall, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The switch casing also includes a lower casy ing section having the relatively thick bottom wall 20 and the integral upstanding and relatively thick side walls 2l; and said side walls E21, in effect, serve as a continuation ot the flanges l-l oit the upper casing section. A peripherallj.v outstand' flange 22 `is or may be integrally termed with the side walls Said lowe.I section may be termed with the relatively deep iiitegral ribs 23 which connect the bottom and side walls, whereby to strengthen said section.

Said lower easing section is adapted removably to be connected yieldingly with the upper casing section and the yieldingconnecting.: means may include bolts received in said `liange in said lower section, and slidably extended throueh apertures in said flange lo ot the upper casing section; and sp1 may encircle said bolts and engage said lla fige 1G and nuts QG, which latter are or may be adjustably threaded on the upper ends ot' said bolts. The arrangement sueh that, normallj-f, said 'flanges and i6 are or may be held in Contact by said springs and said bottom member maj.v yield downwardly against said springs when an em'essife press sure ccnrs within the casing, whereb)v to keep down the ir'ressure rise within the easing and absorb energy incident to such pre sure rise.

A lining` or receptacle 30 adapted to be received within the switch casing` and supported b y said bottom me lber and adapt.,11

to contain oil or other arc-qucaching;` fluid in which the switch members are innnersed. The walls ot said receptacle are or may be of relatively thin a. d yielding material and therefore wcal and unable to such an increase ol pressure may be. created within the receptacle incident to circuit interruption. The walls ot said receiitacle are adapted to lit relatively closely within the walls ot the switch casing, and the depending flanges 1l oit the upper casing ection. a n d tl walls Ql-ol" the lower ca ne' section are adapted to support the walls ot the oil receptacle against internal pressure, and the walls of the oil receptacle are adapted to yield outwardly against the walls of the casing.

The inner tace olE the flanges l may be Jformed with a series ot vertically-arranged grooves which extend from the top wall l() to the lower edge ot said 'flanges` whereby to provide vent passages between said flange and the side walls ot the receptacle by which gas may escape, trom the interior of the switch,y and relieve the internal gaseous pressure. The side and bottoni walls ot the lower casing section rn ay be similarly `formed whereby to provide space below and externally ol the oil receptacle in which may collect oil dis charged 'trom the oil receptacle.

Fie". 3 illustrates a switch havinel a modified construction. Said casingv mav include the relatively massive top plate Ll() whichv may ,torni the cover ot the eL sing; and the bottom plate 41. Both plates may be ribbed 'for strength. Stationary and movable switch members 42 and 43, respectively may depend below said top plate.

The side walls of the casing are or may be formed of the side plates lil and end plates 45, all ot' which may be relatively thick and formed ith reinforcing ribs 46, for strength. Said side and end plates may be secured together by bolts t7 passed tlirough said end plates and `flanges t8 of said side plates, whereby to form a rectangular enclosure and the top and ott-om plates Ll() and Lll may be secu-red to said side and end plates by the bolts t9 and 50. A. casingis thus formed which is well adapted to resist relatively high internal pressures.

A receptacle 5l, which may be similar to the oil receptacle 30 of Fie'. l, is received within said casing and is adapted to provide the oil-tight container tor the oil in which the switch members are inmiersed.

The switch members may be inspected by removing the bolts 50 and lowering the lower portion o'l'l the casing.

ln Fig. il, the oil receptacle is not support ed yieldingly, out in Fig. 5, it is so supported, the supporting means including a platform GO on which the bottom ol the receptacle rests and compression springs Gi disposed between said platform and the bottom plate 41a ot the casing. `With this arrangement, the oil receptacle may yield downwardly upon the occurrence ol an abnormal pressure rise within it7 and stress said springs. The space between said platform G() and bottom plate Lllo may also serve to collect oil spilled over the top ot the oil receptacle upon circuit interruption.

y lVith the arrangement thus provided, the joints between the various sections ol" the casing need not be oil tight as the oil receptacle is adapted to be oil tight and contain the oil or other fluid, and the walls of the oil receptacle cover the joints between the sections.

The structure may be otherwise modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. An electric switch having a sectional fluid-perforate enclosing casing, and a relatively wealr fluid-tight oil receptacle enclosed within and supported yield ingly by said casing, the walls of said casing conformed generally with and arranged to support the corresponding walls oit said oil receptacle against rupture and against change in coutigin'ation due to internal pressures.

2. An electric switch having a relatively strong enclosing casing com prisinev upper and lower yieldingly connected sections. and a relatively weal; fluid-tight oil receptacle euclosed by and supported yieldingly within aid casing and having its corresponding alls conformed generally with and supported by the`walls of and said casingv substantially over their entire extent andrestrainedthereby against yielding and change in configuration when there is pressure within the casing.

3. An electric switch havin a' relatively strong sectional'enclosing casing the joint between the sections providing a normally closed passage for venting the switch on over.- load, and a relatively weak fluid-tight oil receptacle enclosed within said casing, the walls of said oil receptacle conformed gen erally with and adapted to yield outwardly without rupture and engage and be supported by the corresponding walls of said casing upon the occurrence of an abnormal pressure within said oil receptacle.

4. An electric switch having a relatively weak fluid-tight oil receptacle, and a sectional supporting structure which is not fluid-tight arranged in conformance with the walls of and in supporting relation with said weak oil receptacle substantially over its entire extent and so restrains the walls of said weak oil receptacle against yielding and change in configuration when there is pressure within the receptacle.

5. An electric switch including a relatively strong supporting structure having a fluid venting passage therethrough, and ar relatively weak fluid-tight oil-receptacle located within and conformed with the Walls and arranged lo be supported against rupture over practically its entire extentby said supporting structure and cover the Huid passage therethrough. f

6. An electric switch including a relatively strong sectional iiuid-perforate casing having a normally closed liuidmventing passage between its sections, a relatively weak oil tight lining received within and conformed with the Walls of the sections of said casing and adapted to be supported by and in intimate contact with the walls of said casing substantially over its entire extent, and means to permit one of said casing sections to yield and open said vent passage while still main-- taining its supporting relation with said oil receptacle.

7. An electric switch having a relatively strong sectional fluid-perforate casing, and a relatively weak oil-containing lining received within and conformed with the walls of the sections of said casing and adapted to be supported against rupture by the walls of said casing, said casing and lining arranged to provide a vent passage over the top of the lining and down between the side walls of the casing and lining.

8. An electric switch having a relatively strong sectional fluid-perforate casing adapted to enclose an oil-containing space, and a relatively weak oil-containing lining received within and conformed with the walls of the sections of said casing except at the bottom and adapted to be supported by the walls of said casing,` said casing and lining arranged to provide a vent passage over the top of the lining and down bet-Ween the side walls of the casing and lining, and an oil receiving space below the bottom wall of said lining.

9. An electric switch including a casing comprising upper and lower connected sections, and an oil receptacle contained within said casing having its side walls conformed with the walls of both sections and arranged in covering relation with the joint between said sections.

10. An electric switch including a casing comprising upper and lower connected sections, and an oil receptacle contained within said casing and adapted to have its walls supported by the walls of said casing andcover the joint between the sections of said casing.

11. An electric switch including a casing having relatively movable upper andv lower sections, yielding means connecting said sections, and an oil receptacle contained within said casing having its side walls conformed with the walls of both sections and arranged in covering relation with the joints between said sections. n

12. An electric switch including an upper casing section having depending side walls, a lower casing section having cooperating side walls, means connecting said sections, and an oil receptacle contained within said connected sections adapted to be supported against deformation by the side walls of and cover the joint between said sections.

y13. An electric switch including an upper casing section Vhai-ving depending side walls arranged to surround and support an oil receptacle, a lower casing section having side walls arranged to surround and support an oil receptacle, means including springs arranged yieldingly to connect said sections, and an oil receptacle contained vwithin said connected sections and adapted to be'supported against deformation by the side walls of and cover the joint between said sections.

14. An electric switch including an upper casing section having de ending sidewalls arranged to surround an support an'oil receptacle, a lower casing section having side Walls arranged to surround and support an oil receptacle, means arranged removably to connect said sections, and an oil receptacle contained within said Vconnected sections adapted to be supported against deformation by the side walls of`and cover the joint between said sections. Y

15. In an electric switch, a casingfsection having a top wall and peripherally depending side walls, said. side walls arranged to end substantially in the plane of the circuit-interruptingarc and having the ends thereof provided with a laterally-outstanding peripheral reinforcing flange, and an oil receptacle having the upper portion of its side walls received within and supported by the side walls of said casing.

Ylb. ln an electric switch, a casing-section having' a top wall and peripherally-depemiingz side weils, stationary contact neinbers dirposed within said casing, said side walls arranged to end adjacent the .line of said contact memberrlz. and a n oil receptacle ha ving; npstanding ,fr-ide walls the upper portion oit which is received removably within the walls oil said casing.

17. An electric. switch including a casing, contact members disposedv therein, said casing includingr an upper casing section having` periphcrally-depending side walls arranged to surrounding and support an oil receptac e. said walls terminatingabout in the line of said contact members, a lower casing; section having' upwardly extended side rails also adapted to surround and support the oil receptacle, means connecting; said casingy sections, and an oil receptacle contained within and supported by said casing sections and adapted to cove-r the joint between said sections.

18. An electric switch including a casing, contact members disposed therein, said casi ng including an upper casing' section having; peripherally-depending side walls arranged to surround and support an oil receptacle. said walls terminating' about in the line of said contact members, a lower Casina' section having upwardly extended side walls also adapted to surround and support the oil receptacle, yielding means arranged to connect said sections removably, and an oil receptacle contained within and supported by said casing sections and adapted to cover the 'joint between said sections.

19. An electric switch havinga weak fluidtight linine, and a sectional lluid-perliorate casing containing` the lining` and including yielding supporting means :for the lining, the liningl beine: conformed with and engaging' the walls of th sections ot the casing.

20. An electric switch having a weak and fluid-tight lining', and a strongY and 'fluid-perlorate sectional casing containing? said lining` and including),` means to support the lining` vieldinglyg the liningr being' conformed with a nd engaging the walls oli the secions of the casing' and being' f-Jupported, thereby against outward displacement and rupture.

2l. A. switch having` a casing' constituting an oil containing receptacle, said casing` having walls which are strong and pressure-resistant and are also luitl-permeable so that oil an pass through them, and means to prevent such escape oi" oil including a lining which tits within said casing' and has thin, flexible and weak walls which lie upon the inner faces ot the casingwalls and are restrained thereby against yielding and cha-nge in conliguration when there is pressure within the casi ing and so are supported against rupture,

the liningwalls being fluid-impermeable so that the lining holds the oil while the casing supports the lining against rupture, stationary switch members extended within said casing; and the interior of said lining and iinmersed in the oil therein, and a rendra-ting member cooperating with said switch members and immersed in the oil.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specilication.

VILLIALI S. EDSALL.

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